The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AVDL) is now offering real-time PCR testing for Theileria orientalis, specifically the pathogenic Ikeda genotype, a tick-borne protozoan that poses a growing threat to cattle health and the state’s livestock industry.
Transmitted by the invasive Asian longhorn tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis), T. orientalis Ikeda is known to cause anemia, reproductive failure, and death in cattle. Undiagnosed infections can result in significant economic losses for producers.
This new capability positions AVDL as a central resource for in-state diagnostics, reducing reliance on out-of-state labs and improving turnaround times for veterinarians and producers.
Testing Details:
- Sample type: Bovine Whole Blood
- Cost: $35 per test
- Estimated turnaround time: 1-3 days
Additional information can be found on the Department’s website here.